San Biagio Fair

The patronal feast of Pietrasanta

The San Biagio Fair is the most cherished traditional festival in Pietrasanta, the heart of Versilia in the province of Lucca, Tuscany. It takes place every year on February 3rd and 4th to honor Saint Blaise (San Biagio), the city's patron saint and protector of the throat, blending religious devotion with popular celebration. For two days, the historic center turns into a lively stage, attracting thousands of people from the province and beyond.

The legend of San Biagio and the blessing of the throat

Devotion to San Biagio is rooted in an ancient legend: according to tradition, during the persecution of Christians, the saint miraculously healed a child who was choking on a fish bone. This gave rise to the famous rite of the blessing of the throat, during which the priest touches the throats of the faithful with two crossed candles. In the Duomo di San Martino, the religious heart of the festival, the saint's relic is displayed, and the most attended services of the year are held.

The fair in the historic center

The secular heart of the festival is the grand traditional fair: over 200 market stalls fill Via Marconi, Viale Oberdan, and the squares of Matteotti, Statuto, Carducci, and the Duomo. Among the stalls, you will find food products, clothing, toys, household goods, and handicrafts, creating an atmosphere of scents and colors that heralds the coming spring. The traditional funfair is set up in Piazza ex Pesa, while entertainment for children accompanies the two-day event.

The agricultural and livestock exhibition

A distinctive feature of the San Biagio Fair is the agricultural and livestock exhibition, centered in Piazza Matteotti and along Viale Oberdan. Here, exhibitors showcase agricultural machinery and equipment, gardening tools, and local food and wine products, alongside an animal display—horses, ponies, birds of prey, reptiles, and other species—which is highly popular with families. It is one of the moments that links the festival to the rural and farming roots of Versilia.

Art, music, and gastronomy

Beyond the fair, San Biagio is also an opportunity for culture: civic museums and ongoing exhibitions remain open, while concerts and events enliven the weekend. During the festival, downtown restaurants offer special menus dedicated to tradition, featuring local dishes such as tordelli pietrasantini. The San Biagio Fair is thus a complete experience, where faith, rural tradition, fine dining, and entertainment intertwine in the heart of Pietrasanta.